The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reported a significant surge in data consumption in the country, with a record 1.1 million terabytes used in July 2025. This milestone marks a notable increase from May, when 1.04 million terabytes were consumed. The rise in data usage can be attributed to the growing number of Nigerians transitioning to higher-generation networks, such as 4G and 5G, which offer faster speeds.
According to the NCC’s data, 4G usage has increased to 50.85% of total internet connections, while 5G is steadily gaining traction at 3.17%. Conversely, 3G usage is declining, with only 7.38% of connections still on this network. This shift towards faster networks is likely driven by the increasing demand for data-intensive services and applications.
However, despite the growth in data consumption, telecom operators are facing a decline in active internet subscriptions. The total number of internet subscriptions across mobile, fixed wired, ISP, and VoIP networks dropped to 138.7 million from 141.1 million in June. Mobile network operators (MNOs) accounted for the majority of the subscription loss, with MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile experiencing declines.
Airtel was the hardest hit, losing 2.4 million subscriptions in July, bringing its total active subscriptions to 56.5 million. MTN and Globacom also recorded losses, with 106,345 and 143,701 subscriptions lost, respectively. The decline in subscriptions is likely a result of the recent 50% price increment implemented by telecom operators, which may have led some customers to adjust their usage or seek alternative options.
The NCC’s data highlights the complex dynamics at play in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. While data consumption continues to soar, the industry faces challenges in maintaining subscription growth. As the industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how telecom operators adapt to changing consumer behavior and technological advancements.
